Event to alleviate local food insecurity
Gross, Joan E
People with few resources depend on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed their families. Snap Match programs increase the value of SNAP dollars, making healthy, fresh food at farmers’ markets more affordable. In the past five years, SNAP and SNAP Match programs have brought over 1.6 million dollars to local farmers’ market vendors in Benton and Linn counties. This is important for establishing a sustainable local food system. However, both SNAP recipients and local farmers will experience a loss in the future. In the past year. 2672 people in Linn and Benton counties lost SNAP benefits entirely, due to restrictions implemented at the end of 2025.
Fresh & Local, First! a local 501c3 has been helping to support the SNAP Match program at farmers’ markets since 2015. Given the drop in the number of SNAP recipients, we decided that we needed a new currency that was not dependent on SNAP. We created Community Bucks during the SNAP crisis in November and would like to continue that program.
On April 10th, 5:30-9:30, we will be holding our first fundraising event to support Community Bucks. Join Professor Andrew Ross in Room 022 of OSU’s Crop Science Building for a fun and hands-on trip through various aspects of small-scale grain processing. See different grains, grind them into flour, bake breads and other grain-based foods. Pair these with legume-based and other vegetarian accompaniments. There will be delicious things to eat and recipes to take home. Discuss the challenges of small-to-medium scale grain processing typical of local to regional grain chains.
Discussions throughout the session on the use of grain- and legume-based foods as components in plant-forward diets aimed at improving public health and well-being. Examine the impacts of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels on plant food nutritional status.
There is only room for 20, so buy your tickets now at https://slowfoodcorvallis.org/
You will receive a donation acknowledgement from Fresh & Local, First! (501c3).
NOTE: This is a facility that processes wheat.